Empowered and Unstoppable: The Scholarship Journey of Parisa Azizi Shamami

From a little girl folding origami in Iran to a visionary architect reimagining the future of sustainable design, Parisa Azizi Shamami’s journey to UCL is an incredible one! A childhood home where gardens bloomed, and farming was not just an activity but a family passion – this is where young Parisa’s story began. “My heart lies in nature,” Parisa reflects, “My parent’s passion for gardening and farming nurtured my love for nature and hard work.” Today, Parisa is not just designing spaces; she’s reshaping the future of sustainable architecture. But to turn her bold ideas into reality, she sought the right opportunity – and that’s where UCL’s Master of Architecture in Bio-Integrated Design comes in. Let’s dive into her success story!

Academic Excellence and Foundation

It was at the University of Guelan where Parisa laid her academic foundation with precision and passion through a bachelor’s and master’s in architectural engineering. With the highest GPA of 19.29 in her department during her master’s program, she proved that when determination meets passion, good results follow. Beyond the numbers, Parisa was dancing to different beats – what she calls ‘a waltz between architecture and nature.’ This perspective is reflected in her thesis project, an innovative echo camp design in Durfag, Gilan. She drew inspiration from vernacular architecture to develop different modules that would allow visitors to connect with nature in unparalleled ways. 

The echo camp project was a stepping stone for Parisa as she discovered eco-friendly materials. While figuring out how to make buildings that fit into nature, something clicked. She realized that buildings could work with nature. While her university years gave her the knowledge and tools she needed, her next chapter would take her beyond the classroom – into the world of entrepreneurship. 

Entrepreneur Journey with Boomi Decor

Where university was all about lectures and assignments for other students, it was the birthplace of a startup for Parisa. Boomi Decor is a sustainability-driven brand that transforms ideas into reality. It all started with one question: why can’t everyday decor be both beautiful and kind to the planet? With this question in mind, Parisa and a team of five like-minded innovators set out to create something different. Together, they handled branding, sales, and funding, juggling roles far beyond the drawing board. Their efforts paid off – Boomi Decor quickly gained 14,000 Instagram followers and 500+ loyal customers, proving sustainability and style can go hand in hand. For Parisa, this startup was just the beginning. Her vision stretched far beyond local markets — she wanted to create solutions that addressed global sustainability challenges. This is where bioarchitecture came into the picture.  

Bio-Integrated Design: Merging Nature with Architecture

Boomi Decor pushed Parisa to think bigger. What if buildings could not only exist in nature but actively contribute to it? This question led her to the world of bio-integrated design, where architecture and biology come together. Her project was a bold step toward this future — humidity-absorbing panels that blend seamlessly with architecture while boosting the building’s lifespan and refreshing urban spaces. She went on to test this idea at the Rasht by the Caspian Sea, a region where humidity levels range between 70-90%, causing severe structural decay. Building there lasts less than 30 years, lower than Iran’s national average.

Unlike most of us who would see a challenge here, she saw an opportunity. Inspired by concepts like Poikilohydric living walls and geometrically articulated bioreceptive facades, she designed thin panels made from bioreceptive materials. These panels absorb excess moisture while providing a surface where moss and lichens can grow. This would lead to transforming humidity from a destructive force into a regenerative one. Parisa further envisioned incorporating microalgae into these panels, inspired by the photosynthetic architecture of Ecologic Studio. This project is more than an experiment – it’s a vision for the future. For Parisa, the perfect place to refine vision is UCL’s Master of Architecture in Bio-Integrated Design program.   

The UCL Dream

Collaboration, research, and exposure to global perspectives — with these principles of innovation, Parisa set her sights on the Master of Architecture in Bio-Integrated Design at the University of California, Los Angeles. UCL offers cutting-edge courses and world-class faculty with an emphasis on bioreceptivity and synthetic biology, perfect to bring her visions to life. 

Unlocking Possibilities with Amber Scholarships

Getting accepted into UCL was a dream come true for Parisa. You can hear more about Parisa’s journey from herself. While she had the support of her family, she knew that studying abroad came with its own set of challenges. That’s where the amberscholar scholarship came in as a game-changer. Besides financial aid, amber scholarships for international students enabled her to focus solely on her studies and entrepreneurial ambitions. With the amber scholarship applications, Parisa can now:

1. Deepen her research into bio-receptive materials and sustainable architecture.
2. Collaborate with global experts and bring her innovative humidity-absorbing panels to life.
3. Expand her startup aspirations. 

If you’re someone with a vision just like Parisa, don’t let anything hold you back! The amber student scholarship can help you fund your dreams. Apply today and take the next step towards the future.